Public Safety Briefs

Local drug agents and federal probation officers Tuesday morning arrested a Savannah man and his two sons after an investigation determined they'd been distributing controlled substances.

The Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team began investigating 46-year-old Ernest Moore earlier this month after receiving information he was selling marijuana while still on federal probation for a previous drug-related conviction, said Gene Harley, CNT spokesman.

CNT agents and federal probation officers conducted a search of Moore's home in the 10600 block of Abercorn Street Tuesday morning, where they discovered a large amount of marijuana, most of which was packaged for distribution; items typically used in the process of distributing controlled substances; and two guns, Harley said. Agents also seized about $3,900 cash.

Moore and his two sons, 22-year-old Kiwani Patterson and 27-year-old Terrell Patterson, who are all felons, were present at the home and arrested, Harley said.

Agents charged Moore and Kiwani Patterson with numerous felonies, including possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. All three men were charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The men were transported to the Chatham County jail and are expected to be arraigned in Recorder's Court today.

Two jailed as child center run by teen closes

Two women were sentenced to 10 days in jail Tuesday after Savannah-Chatham police and county authorities found a 14-year-old child in charge of 11 children, age 4 or younger, at an illegal, unlicensed day care center, police reported.

Kimberly Denise Emerson and Erica Hayward were both sentenced for contempt of court after they were found to be operating the day care center after being ordered not to, police said.

Police said the day care center had not obtained licenses from either the county or state since authorities first became aware of it last October.

In January, the women were cited on continuing to operate the center at 1190 King George Blvd., known as Georgetown Child Care Center, and ordered to stop in Recorders Court. Instead, police said it reopened as Georgetown Fitness Center for children.

County inspectors visited the center two weeks ago and caught the operators sneaking children out of the back door in the rain without shoes to hide them in a van, said police spokesman Julian Miller. On another occasion, he said they attempted to drive them away in an automobile without seat belts or child safety seats.

The following day, authorities arrived to find the screaming children hidden in a bathroom with no lights.

On Tuesday, Savannah-Chatham police arrived to find a family member of one of the women had left the facility in the hands of a 14-year-old. The center was closed permanently.

Assistant Chatham County Attorney Jennifer Burns, who oversaw the county actions, advised parents not to leave their children in the care of these operators.

Ogeechee River flooding

National Weather Service Charleston, S.C., has placed Chatham County in a flood warning.

The Chatham Emergency Management Agency reported that the Ogeechee River is experiencing minor flooding and that it had reached 10.9 feet as of 10 a.m. Tuesday. Flood stage is 9 feet.

By Friday, the river is forecasted to be at 11.3 feet, which is still considered a minor flood stage.

The river is expected to flood over the river banks, CEMA reported. Rainfall in the latter part of this week could impact flooding as well, it said.

The National Weather Service alerts residents 24 hours before rivers reach flood stages so that they can prepare for flooding. Reports of any flooding along the river in Chatham County is requested.

Section of Whitefield Avenue to be paved today

Georgia Department of Transportation contractors today will be paving a portion of Whitefield Avenue that will likely cause traffic delays.

From 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., weather permitting, crews will be working on the road starting from near Mistwood Lane to about the Diamond Causeway.

A temporary flagging operation will be used to direct traffic through the work zone; motorists are asked to pay close attention, reduce speeds and observe all signs, barrels and messages throughout the area.